Can a Christian be sinless in this life?

It is interesting to know that there are certain people who holds the view that it is possible for a born again Christian to attain the level of sinless perfection in this life. John Wesley an eminent Christian minister taught that sinless perfection is possible in this life. Roman Catholics for example considers Mary as sinless, because according to them she was preserved from original sin, for the reason that she will be the mother of the Messiah. But of course, no where is it written in the scriptures that Mary was immaculate. Mary was a sinner just like everyone else. 

By nature, she became a sinner through the disobedience of Adam and she herself needed a Savior to rescue her from her sins. After she became pregnant with Jesus she said this: And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (Luke 1:47). Mary's faith was in his Son alone for salvation and at the right time he died for her sins on the cross. There is no single text of scripture which supports the teaching of the sinlessness of Mary making it unbiblical. Can a Christian be pious to the extent that he or she can attain to the level of living a sinless life in this world? Does the bible really teaches that sinless perfection is possible on this side heaven? Let us dive deeper into God's word to see what the bible have to say on this all important question.

Can a Christian be sinless?

I have been reading my bible consistently, and I haven't seen written anywhere that a Christian can be sinless in this world. In fact, no man has ever lived a sinless life before, save one person. When you check the records of the lives of the old testament saints, you will see that though they were righteous people, yet were encompassed about with many flaws. Even in the new testament, believers have never been sinless. 

Apostle Paul shared his experience with us: For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me (Romans 7:14-20). Paul just like everyone of us, we battle with sin on a daily basis. Our flesh wrestles against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. We all know, there is no need to pretend that we can can never be sinless in thought and in deed for as long as we are here on earth.

Does 1 John 3; 9 argues for sinless perfection?

The apostle wrote by the Spirit: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3; 9). At first glance, you might think that this text advocates for sinless perfection. When you read through modern translations like the NASB it reads: "No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin continually, because he has been born of God". The ESV translation: "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God 's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God". 

The NIV translation: "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God". And the NLT version: "Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God". The meaning of the text is that whoever is born again does not live a sinful lifestyle. It doesn't mean he cannot sin as king James version poorly translated it, rather does not make a practice of sinning because God's seed remains in him. Because God's life is in us, we do not willfully go on sinning. This verse argues that a born again christian can sin, but does not continually live it as a lifestyle. In 1 John 2; 1 the apostle wrote: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous". The apostle knew that we will sin and encourages us that even when we sin, we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous, lest we might be discouraged.

Only Jesus Christ was Sinless?

The Man Jesus Christ during the days of his flesh was sinless. John wrote concerning him: And in Him there is no sin (1 John 3; 5) and Peter also wrote: Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth (1Peter 2; 22).

In the epistle of Hebrews it is also written: For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4; 15). Jesus questioned his enemies at a point, "Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? (John 8:46). The only immaculate person in human history was Jesus Christ. If Jesus was a sinful Man as some foolishly teaches then we are still in our sins, but the fact that he was and still is sinless gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven. Aside Jesus Christ, no one can attain to sinless perfection no matter how hard they try. To learn more about the sinlessness of Christ, you can check out my article, "Was Jesus Sinless" for an in-depth study. 

Do I encourage sin?

I am only declaring the truth of God's word and far be it from me to ever give an occasion to anyone to lead a wanton life through my writings. Though we cannot attain to sinless perfection, nevertheless, God's word encourages us to strive to live a holy life, a life which is well pleasing in the sight of God. We can attain sinless perfection the day we shall meet our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, but until then we have to keep on making progress in our walk with the Lord here on earth. If you have no desire to live a holy life, then you are not yet regenerated. 

Born again Christian's makes it a point to live their life for the one who laid down his precious life for them. Paul wrote: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification is God's will for us, therefore he is calling us to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, and also to see to it that our conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. Our life must reflect Jesus Christ, people must see just like Peter and John that we have been with Jesus Christ. Though we cannot be free from the presence of sin, yet we must through the aid of the Spirit to live a moral life, a life worthy of our profession of faith in Jesus Christ. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

We can attain sinless perfection the day we shall meet our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, but until then we have to keep on making progress in our walk with the Lord here on earth

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If Jesus was God, then why did he cry out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?

This question continue to puzzle the minds of many people out there, who are genuinely seeking to know the truth as it is in Jesus. But am also not ignorant of the fact that others, simply ask this question merely out of prejudice against the deity of Christ. In their attempt to discredit the authenticity of scriptural evidence of the deity of Christ, they ask questions like this; if Jesus is God as the Christian's claims, then why did he cry out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? Others also ask, if Jesus was truly God, then how can God be forsaken? Unitarians are part of those who reject the biblical doctrine of the trinity and affirm that God is only one person. They are a sect that rejects what the bible teaches about the true deity of Christ. They claim that Jesus Christ is not God in human flesh and that he is not equal with God. A typical example of unitarians are the Jehovah's witnesses. They are infuriated when we claim that God is one, but eternally exis...
Read more

The threefold office of Jesus Christ

When you carefully read throughout the old testament with the lens of the Spirit, you will see that there were three main offices established by God. These three offices were namely, the office of a prophet, the office of a Priest, and the office of a king. Those called into any of these offices, were mostly anointed with holy oil, see (1 kings 19; 16, Exodus 30; 30, 1samuel 10; 1). These three main offices in the old testament was unique and none occupied all three offices at the same time. It is important to know that according to church history, the 4th century preacher and writer, Eusebius of Caesarea was the first person to work out the classification of the threefold office of Christ, but was fully fleshed out by that excellent theologian, "John Calvin" in his magnum opus, "the institute of the Christian Religion". Eusebius of Caesarea penned down these words: "And we have been told also that certain of the prophets themselves became, by the act of anoint...
Read more

Is Jesus our brother?

By the leading of the Spirit, the authors of the bible ascribed different titles to our blessed Lord which reveals aspects of his work and person. He is described as king of kings and Lord of all lords (Revelation 17; 14), he is also called our savior (Titus 2; 13). Jesus is also referred as the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12; 2) and in another place he is described as the righteous Judge (Acts 17; 31). The bible is also clear about the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is of equal substance and essence with the father (John 10: 30). He is our Lord and God as thomas described him (John 20; 28). But did you know that Jesus is also our brother? Many people address Jesus as our Lord and Savior and that is excellent, but are unwitting of the truth as it is revealed in the holy scriptures that he is our brother as well. The bible says: For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the autho...
Read more